Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hi Lynette..........if it's towards the end of July, then you could catch the International See-Baeren Festival, July 24th/25th in Lindau.
I've not yet visited there, but it's on an island in Lake Bregenz (Bodensee) and by all accounts is GOOD - plus it's a very pretty place.
There'd be more about it on the BaerReport site - www.baerreport.de
huggies
Maria

You're right there, Sue Ann - we are so privileged to be able to follow the Lily/Hope show..........
I  watch every day, as often as I can - it's just magical to follow the development of that little scrap, who is rapidly turning into a .mini bear.
The warmer weather of late has meant a lot more cubbie viewing sessions - and isn't she just enchanting     ? But oh boy - makes you realise how much work it would be for a bear Mum to raise THREE cubs - Hope seems to be more than enough of a handful.
Sophie - the pics are really good, especially the third one - thanks for sharing!
big huggies
Maria

BRILLIANT! Well done , Janice - a great way to advertise your bears!
huggies
Maria

All being well (and weather permitting!) I'll be there on sunday for a visit. I mention the weather, as we    woke to a good 25- 30 cm fresh snow on Friday - praying that we don't get any more - I have had more than enough of winter wonderland!
Good luck on Sat night, ladies
huggies
Maria

that's SO nice, Catherine! Glad you had such a good day at the show, and that Peter got his latest hug addition.........
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Hi Rinn
would be nice if we all knew the answer to your question! I have entered a fair few competitions, and they are all different........so far, the only one I know which actually gives you a "score card" is the Euro Teddy, here in Germany. They give points for all sorts of categories covering workmanship - down to fine details , like if you have used a sewing thread which matches the fur colour, whether you have stuffed the limbs equally etc.........and then go on to the "look" of the bear - and if they don't like your style - tough!
Basically - you make the BEST bear you can, and then cross your fingers......it is NOT an exact science!
The thing to keep in mind is that you will never know unless you DO enter..........and good luck!
huggies
Maria

:dance:  :dance:  :dance: PROOF!!!!!!!!!!! The fat bear dancing n the moonlight is the one I want too  :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:
I  mailed her but haven't heard back yet........
Well - that's started my day with a BIG smile - despite the fact that winter has suddenly returned and it's chucking down snow again.
big, huggies, bro'
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

I thought these would go down well!!!!!!!!
SHANE and REBECCA - great minds think alike?  Love your idea of a collage of her cards, Shane - and I'll be interested to know WHICH t-shirt you've picked.........if it's the same as the one I want, it'll be even more proof of the "twins separated at birth" :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:
and you may be right Linda - same sense of humour?!? :crackup:
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Brilliant! :crackup:  :crackup:  :crackup:   Thanks so much for sharing
huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Lovely! Maybe the leopard was too taken aback by the sheer CHEEK of the mouse, to think of eating it..........
and the cub and cougar - I have a copy of the film - a real tear-jerker, but some glorious animal  footage
thanks for sharing
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:

OMG - an overwhelming display of wonderful bears and critters! Thank you SO much Jane - from all of us who weren't there on the day, and, speaking from past experience, the exhibitors who didn't manage to get all the way round to see for themselves..........your really are the BEST :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

I came across a link to this site today, on Lily bear's   facebook pages.......www.suerowe.com
This brilliant lady has created a whole lot of bear t-shirts, prints, cards etc from her delightful, whimsical bear drawings..........I absolutely adore her sense of humour. I'd buy stacks of them if only I had the money, and wasn't sure that the Deutsche Customs would have a field day!
huggies
Maria

Great, Ann-Marie  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  :clap:  well done you!  But then I'm not in the teensiest bit surprised that your adorable bears sold out!
And I'm glad you posted -- I was beginning to wonder if you'd all been locked in on Sunday after the show, by mistake! :crackup:  :crackup:
Looking forward to piccies
huggies
Maria

Hi again, Rebecca
I have a  subscription to the magazine, and usually get it a couple of days early - so I'll let you know if you got through, straight away - fingers crossed for the both of us!
hugies
Maria

PATIENCE! The nominations come out in the Teddybär und seine Freunde magazine - due out on March 26th,  so there's still a while to wait. They only demand the presence of the nominated bears at the show, and nominated bears can be sent into them - so you don't actually HAVE to be there..........
huggies
Maria

Have a GREAT day, everyone...........I'll be thinking of you!
huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:

Hi Jane
sorry I can't offer any advice - just wanted to say how sorry I am about Chunky. I know how heart.breaking it is to see the deterioration - as you know, Nounours has a similar problem. Se is still quite happy, as she doesn't realise that anything is wrong......but it's so hard to watch her getting ever more unsteady on her back legs.
hope you can manage to find a suitable "doggy carriage"
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Wow - that's a LOT!!!! Good to hear tho, that you will be given free rein with your imagination, and that they won't all be wanted in a huge rush.
Have FUN!!!!!!
huggies
Maria

A couple of entry prices for comparison........
Golden George is 30 euros per entry ($41 at today's exchange rate) - BUT it's 55 euros if you are not an exhibitor.
Ted Worldwide costs 32 euros for first entry and 22 for subsequent ones..........and 27 euros if you enter the "Hobbyist" class (making bears for less then 3 years).
And while the GG entries have to be in by end November, TWW is a "summer" comp - entries in by end July.
huggies
Maria

The most comprehensive comp, category-wise that I know of it the Ted Worldwide - they include categories for "classic" and "contemporary", mixed materials  and even "naturalistic". And they have three levels of entry - Hobbyist - bear makers who have been doing it for less than 3 years; Artist - and after two nominations in this level you automatically go up to Master. This does make for a huge competition - 33 categories in all, plus the Public Choice Award  (or "The Public's Price" - which always amuses me!)
The Golden George  has two levels - you start off in the Premium Class and if you are lucky enough to win a G.G. you automatically move up into the Master Class. There are 8 categories in each class, plus the Tableau which all can enter, and of course, there is the Public Choice.
Having the different levels really does open up the competition, and I think that having a "beginners " class or category (as in the BBAAs) is a great encouragement for newbies to have a go.
Incidentally, in both of these competitions, the manufactured bears  go in the Master Class.
My two cents worth, from Germany........

huggies
Maria

Meant to comment on these adorable pics earlier in the week, Jane ---- utterly      
Is that Chunky?
big huggies
Maria

Unbelievable.................being the owner of one LARGE dust and mud magnet of a dog, I could only dream of keeping our house that spotless!
huggies
Maria

In two minds here - some of the Bad Taste Bears, I find quite amusing.......and I have made vampire and even a Frankenstein monster bear.........as always, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" - and what some of us find SICK, really appeals to others. It's a free (ish) world!
huggies
Maria

Hi Susan
Germany has a big craft centre  that caters for just about everything........and they have an extensive range of fabrics. I just checked their website and they DO deliver all over Europe. It's www.buttinette.de - might be worth a look!
Otherwise - charity shops and flea markets........
huggies
Maria

Couldn't resist this one! hope you all have a lovely day of hugs and chocolates....
huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug: